Sadly, many wonderful dogs are abandonned, dumped into shelters or given away because they are no longer "suitable" for their families or have become an "inconvenience" for whatever reason. These dogs are in need of a permanent home, one who will not unjustly mistreat or abandon them again. They are usually adults, sometimes puppies or seniors.
A few misconceptions could be stopping you from exploring the option of adopting a rescue dog. Many people are afraid to adopt an older dog because they think they may have been given up due to some terrible problem. Nothing could be further from the truth. The reasons for people giving up their dogs are varied, from relocation to divorce to severe illness, just to name a few. Some people also think that adult rescues will not bond closely to them. It is in fact, completely the opposite.
A rescue dog can be a wonderful addition to the family. Many adopters say that rescue dogs seem grateful for their new homes and families and bond strongly to them. Many dogs adapt quite well to new environments. In addition, adults are usually past the "chewing" and "housebreaking" stages. These are just a few of the reasons why adopting a rescue dog may be a wonderful option for you, aside from the fact that you will be "rescuing" them and giving them a better life!
However, if you are considering adopting a rescue dog, please be well aware that you are agreeing to become responsible for him for life, through all the goods and bads. A dog is a life, not a disposable object. Many owner-surrendered dogs have been given up because of behavior problems the family did not want to deal with and work on (problems which are largely due to learned behavior reinforced by their owners). Please make sure you're going to be ready to do the necessary work with your rescue dog. In our opinion, the only behaviour problems that can result in a dog being "unadoptable" are human agression issues. This behaviour issue is obviously serious and sometimes is not modifiable to an acceptable level for a regular household.
